The leaders of South Korea and the United States told North Korea to drop its atomic ambitions and stop threatening the region.

Regardless of whether North Korea’s rocket launch was a success or failure, analysts say the regime will spin the news to bolster support.

The United Nations failed to agree on a response to North Korea’s long-range rocket launch despite pressure from Washington and its allies for action.

North Korea will soon launch a long-range rocket after completing preparations to put a satellite into space, its official media said on Saturday.

North Korea put its military on combat alert on Monday as United States and South Korean troops began a major joint exercise.